Halo

Gulf Waters Regional #2

by Emmy Kendall

Dr. Nick Crawford is shamelessly charming. With his flirty dimples and deep southern drawl, he has a knack for earning patients’ trust and making women swoon, all while keeping everyone safely at arm's length.

Facing his forties, Nick’s life has shifted from smooth-talking playboy to sideline observer as his friends settle down—something that was once in the cards for him … until he took the coward's way out.

Nick won't make that mistake again—he can't. Not when he's suddenly the father to a five-year-old son he never knew about. But Nick is learning quickly that even though he's a brilliant anesthesiologist, he's clueless about raising a kid. Luckily, the boy comes with a kindergarten teacher who believes in them.

Leah Harrison wears a scarlet letter. Raised to be meek and mild-mannered, her world was built on the promise that obedience and submission would keep her safe and fulfilled.

It didn’t.

Now, she’s left untangling her life from the ruins of a marriage that taught her shame instead of love. Already facing judgment from her family, the last thing she needs is the temptation of an older, single dad who'd rather stay in bed on Sunday mornings.

As Nick and Leah's parent-teacher relationship evolves into more, sins of the past crash in and their future together is threatened. Still, they hold on, trusting that family is who you choose and that love runs deeper than salvation.

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What to Expect in Halo:
Anesthesiologist x Kindergarten Teacher
Single Dad (5-year-old son)
Age Gap (10 years)
Reformed Playboy (redemption romance)
Repressed Heroine (former preacher's daughter)
Open-Door Content with Sexual Awakening
Hurt/Comfort
Chronic Illness Representation
Grief and Mental Health Representation

*** Content warnings will be available.

513 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2026

About the author

Emmy Kendall is a dreamer. The Texas native is fueled by creativity, a quirky imagination, and a generous dose of caffeine. She believes reading should be an emotional experience, which is why her stories are infused with angsty predicaments and flawed characters.

When she's not writing, she's indulging in millennial nostalgia, nose-deep in a romance or thriller novel, cooking something up in the kitchen, or taking football entirely too seriously (Go Cowboys!).

Reviews

[Christina]

I loved this book! Nick really redeemed himself and I knew he was the good man he was always meant to be! Leah went through a lot and it was heartbreaking but Nick made it better! Grady was the cutest kid as well and that ending!! Love!!

[Sarah]

Emmy Kendall’s books always come with three things: 1.) Characters that you’ll fall in love with and root for 2.) The biggest plot twist that will have your head spinning in the best way 3.) A damn good time that will make you shedding a tear when you finish reading the epilogue, because you want more, more, more!

Oh Emmy, thank you for writing and sharing this book with us! Nick and Leah’s story is one that is relatable, one of pain and courage, one of strength and joy, and one of hurt and hope. Sometimes it’s those that are supposed to be closest to us and have our back, that leave us, disappoint us, and hurt us, but family is more than blood, it is those who will walk through the highest highs and lowest lows of life.

I think Nick Crawford is one of the dreamiest fictional men out there with that cowboy charm, while Leah is the hottest fictional woman with her joy that is absolutely contagious and her charming whimsy. Nick thinks he is broken and unredeemable, but leave it to Leah who shows unwavering courage and a tenacity for life to piece Nick back together. Nick showed Leah that there is no part of someone that is unloveable, even when we’re not ready to love that part of ourselves yet. As someone with a chronic illness, I related SO much to their story and Leah’s health journey- thank you Emmy for that chronic illness rep. Their story is so raw and real. I love that their story shows that people are redeemable, even with stupid mistakes that we make out of fear or immaturity, and that it’s about how we will act when given a second chance with a situation: will you run away or will you fight to be better, do better, and look fear in the eyes?!

I’ll leave you with my favorite quote from Miss Emmy Kendall:
“Maybe that’s the thing about miracles. They’re impossible to see coming. Then one day, the ordinary falls away, and somehow, the miracle has been there all along”

I can’t wait to see what Emmy will cook up for us next! Until then, you can find me rereading Ricochet and Halo on repeat!

[Abbies_reads]

✨ Halo by Emmy Kendall

Rating: 5
Tropes: single dad, age gap, reformed playboy, hurt/comfort, chronic illness rep, grief and mental health rep, open door

Emmy Kendall has just been so amazing to read! She’s also such a beautiful person inside and out! Yall this series, so far, has made my Texan heart happy! Then working in the medical field? Ugh! 🥰🥰 so amazing

Halo was such a beautiful read. It was also heart wrenching, captivating and inspiring. The turmoil that all these characters faced was just so real to me. I know how much we love reading about romance blooming and everything just falling into place with characters, it’s rainbows and butterflies (and it’s a great escape) but Halo? It gave us such raw emotions, unfiltered thoughts, scary moments, sadness and rage (not the main characters)

I was so excited to get into Nick’s book, I’m a huge supporter of redemption MMCs! They’re my absolute favorite and Dr. Nick Crawford did not disappoint 🥰 The man was exactly what the beautifully, sweet Leah needed in her life, and my cutie pie Grady.

Both Nick and Leah came from totally different backgrounds, I do feel that they both when through so much, at different times and while they were together. It was so beautiful seeing them love each other, seeing them grow together as a family and as individuals. My girl Leah 🥺🥺 I’m not gonna lie, I teared up.. now I rarely cry or sob. I rarely tear up. But this one did me in (Ricochet did too 🤫)

Thank you so much Emmy for having me be apart of your team! Us Texan girlies gotta stick together 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Preet K]

Review
Halo by Emmy Kendall
5/5 stars

Ms. Emmy! Please send me your address so I can send you my therapy bill because this book had me crying in all of the best ways. I loved all of the characters and my hearttttt. I just love books that are not only well-written, but so poignant in their emotional journey.

NICK. I had my reservations about him, but this book blew them all the way to Pluto. The complex nature and the emotional journey, changed my mind real quick. He felt like a real man that made his mistakes, but not so deep down is a good man trying his best. Also, SIR? This man is HAWT. YES.

LEAH. One thing Emmy Kendall does well is write complex characters and those who have been through the worst and still come out a good person. She had my whole heart and I'm so happy she finally has all that she deserves.

With old faces and new, this book is not one to miss and keep those tissues handy for a beautifully emotional and steamy story. Ms. Emmy Kendall, MORE please.

Catch this book out now and be mindful of the trigger warnings.

[Angela Andrea]

I have been waiting for Halo and it was the perfect way to start off my September reading! Nick is an anesthesiologist, a playboy, a ladies man. But underneath it all, he just wants to fall in love and have a family.

Leah is a good Christian girl, her father is a pastor, her brother is a worship paster. She married young and thought she had her HEA. But she married a man everyone at the church loved and trusted, only problem is behind closed doors, he was an abusive monster. Leah gets the courage to escape and divorce him. She's brought "shame" to her family and is treated like an outsider at the church she grew up in.

While Leah is learning and growing and finding out who she is, she meets Nick Crawford. Nick see's something in Leah and puts his playboy ways to rest. Its a slow burn even after they finally "hook up" I wasn't sure if they'd actually end up together.

Nick finds out he's a dad and has a 6 year old son.
Leah is his sons teacher.
Leah finds out her cancer is back.
Nick vows to help her get through this, while being an amazing father to his son.

The ending had me on the edge of my seat and I was ready to message Emmy and ask how could she!! (We are besties lol) But phew the ending was amazing and left me smiling.

[The Book Ssirren]

This was such a great book. I loved Leah so much, and I really felt for her. Navigating in life after a bad marriage that taught her to be submissive and not even be herself. Being a teacher seemed so rewarding for her, and I loved that. And Nick, suddenly having a five year old he knew nothing about, needs some guidance. But he was never relationship kind of guy. But when these two meet, her being his son’s teacher, there’s a spark between them. But both are clearly reserved. But the more time they spent together, Leah really blossomed, and Nick was feeling better about being in a relationship. Both of them loved his son so much.
This was sweet and steamy and I was really glad to have been sable to read it.

[Serena Buss]

5⭐ 3 🌶️
Wow! Emmy did it again!! She wrote another amazing story!
Halo is a beautiful, emotional, captivating single dad, age gap, medical romance! I love Nick and Leah's story so much! I went through so many emotions throughout this story! It will break your heart and put it back together all in one book! I couldn't put this book down! It captured my attention from beginning to end!! After reading both Ricochet and Halo, Nick is definitely one my top favorite MMCs! And Leah, wow, she went through so much in just thirty years! Both Nick and Leah definitely deserve their HEA!
I love this book so much! Can't wait to read more from Emmy!

[Lauren Hipskind]

This was a solid 6 star read for me! Jonathan and Leah completely stole my heart! I loved watching their relationship develop and seeing the different sides of both of their characters as the story unfolds. Their chemistry and connection felt so genuine, and I was so invested in them.
The plot twists kept me hooked and guessing the whole time. As someone who works in healthcare, I really appreciate the accuracy of the medical terminology and techniques throughout the book. That attention to detail made me love it even more!